Chapter 854 - 854 840 Adding fuel to the fire (2)

Chapter 854: 840, Adding fuel to the fire (2) Chapter 854: 840, Adding fuel to the fire (2) Jian Luo, “We are alike in that regard.”

He had also handed off his work at the Research Room to his subordinates and come here to relax.

Bai Jue had no retort, as they all preferred to be hands-off managers.

“Welcome!”

The Waiter’s voice rang out once again.

As Jian Luo looked up, he saw two people entering from the doorway. Glancing at the person engrossed in eating, a mischievous smile curled at the corner of his lips.

Now there would be some drama to watch.

It really was quite a coincidence, this fate that was everywhere.

“Ahem, Bai Jue, take a look behind you,” he reminded.

Bai Jue swallowed the food in his mouth without lifting his eyelids, “What for?”

“Just take a look behind you.” Jian Luo reached out to grab the knife and fork from his hand, urging him.

“What’s behind me?” Bai Jue took a napkin and wiped his mouth, then turned around with curiosity, his gaze falling on the man and woman chatting and laughing breezily.

His handsome face altered ever so slightly, his well-proportioned lips unconsciously pursing.

Jian Luo was observing the changes in Bai Jue’s expression all along, and seeing not a hint of a smile on his face, a sly look flickered through his eyes.

He was interested to see how long Bai Jue could keep up his arrogance.

If he kept it up, perhaps he might indeed end up a lifelong bachelor.

As soon as He Min entered the restaurant, he immediately noticed Bai Jue. He stepped forward to block Zhan Mingyan’s view.

“Mingyan, let’s sit here,” he said while pulling out a chair.

Zhan Mingyan smiled faintly, “Thank you.”

He Min glanced at Bai Jue out of the corner of his eye, a thoughtful look passing in his eyes as he sat down opposite her.

“What would you like to eat?”

“Anything is fine,” she said.

“I’m a regular here, and there are a few signature dishes that are quite good,” He Min said as he picked up the menu. “Mingyan, how’s the flower shop going?”

Zhan Mingyan picked up a glass and sipped some water, “It’s going well.”

“How’s the injury on your foot?” He Min asked.

Zhan Mingyan replied, “It healed a while ago, nothing serious.”

“I remember when you were little, you once injured your foot and cried when seeing the doctor. In the end, it was only after I bought you candy that you stopped crying,” He Min teased.

Zhan Mingyan scratched her head, laughing, “You still remember that, huh.”

“Of course, I remember everything about you,” He Min said offhand, his eyes revealing a trace of deep affection.

Zhan Mingyan laughed awkwardly, changing the subject, “What are the signature dishes here?”

“These few here. Take a look, and if they’re okay, I’ll order,” said He Min, sensing that she was steering away from the topic. He didn’t get discouraged and passed the menu to her with a gentle tone.

Their interaction fell into the gaze of a pair of shiny black eyes. Bai Jue’s eyes narrowed dangerously, his expression taut.

He withdrew his gaze, turned back to his meal, and continued to eat, his hand holding the knife and fork, knuckles turning white.

“Bai Jue, aren’t you going to greet an acquaintance?” Jian Luo rested his chin on his hand, watching him with keen interest, a schadenfreude smirk playing on his lips.

“Eat your food,” Bai Jue said flatly.

Jian Luo smiled wryly, picked up his knife and fork, and continued eating, glancing at the steak on Bai Jue’s plate. The intact steak had been cut to shreds.

Was he cutting steak or chopping it?

He held back his laughter, shoulders shaking continuously.

It seemed he could hardly hold back any longer.

He looked up at Zhan Mingyan’s table. Zhan Mingyan had her back to them, so he couldn’t see her facial expression; however, the man sitting opposite her seemed very happy, and the atmosphere between the two was quite pleasant.

“Bai Jue, that man is getting too close to Mingyan,” Jian Luo whispered, his eyes sparkling with intense amusement.

The hand holding the knife and fork tightened incessantly, Bai Jue’s steak-cutting motion paused, his eyes dark and inscrutable.

“They’re too close, and it looks like that man is trying to take advantage of Mingyan,” Jian Luo added, fanning the flames.

“Bang—”

Bai Jue dropped his knife and fork, and a mushroom cloud seemed to form over his head.

That damn He Min.

It looked like he hadn’t given up last time.

He suddenly stood up and walked towards Zhan Mingyan’s table.

“Hey, Bai Jue…” Jian Luo called out to him meaningfully, raising his eyebrows in light laughter, leaning back and preparing to watch the drama unfold.

“Mingyan, this dish is delicious, you should eat more,” He Min kept pushing the dishes towards Zhan Mingyan, his face always wearing a gentle smile.

“Thank you, you don’t have to keep looking out for me, you should eat too,” Zhan Mingyan said in thanks.

He Min nodded, and as he looked up, he saw a person coming towards them, and the smile on his face gradually faded.

“What a coincidence, Mr. He, we meet again,” Bai Jue pulled out a chair and sat straight down, speaking calmly.

Zhan Mingyan, hearing that familiar voice, paused her cutlery in hand, lifted her head, and saw the handsome face of the man close by.

“Hi, long time no see,” Bai Jue waved his hand and greeted her nonchalantly.

To hell with “long time no see,” when they had just met at a wedding not too long ago.

Zhan Mingyan was startled, but soon regained her composure, “What are you doing here?”

“What else could I be doing at a restaurant but eat?” Bai Jue asked.

Zhan Mingyan suddenly lost her appetite and set down her knife and fork.

All three fell silent simultaneously, the atmosphere becoming subtly awkward.

He Min glanced at Zhan Mingyan, then turned to Bai Jue and said warmly, “Mr. Bai, have you eaten yet? Would you care to join us?”

“Sure, I haven’t eaten yet,” Bai Jue replied smoothly.

Zhan Mingyan suddenly spoke up, “No need, I’m already full. You two enjoy your meal, Mr. He, I’ll be leaving first. We can meet up another time.”

With that, she took her napkin to wipe her mouth and then grabbed her purse, ready to stand up and leave.

Bai Jue quickly pressed down on her, preventing her from rising, Zhan Mingyan frowned, “What are you doing?”

“Nothing,” Bai Jue withdrew his hand, his gaze falling on her barely-touched steak, “You haven’t finished eating.”

“I’m already full,” Zhan Mingyan said coldly.

“I haven’t eaten,” Bai Jue blurted out impatiently, with a touch of anger.

She had been eating with such joy alone with He Min, and as soon as she saw him, she was in a hurry to leave—it was clear she wanted to avoid him.

Zhan Mingyan scoffed, “If you haven’t eaten, then eat at your leisure; I’m not stopping you.”

What a joke. Just because he hadn’t eaten didn’t mean she had to stay and keep him company. Why should she?

Remembering being rejected by him twice before, Zhan Mingyan pulled away from his grasp forcefully, standing up in a hurry so that her chair tipped backwards.

He Min quickly stabilized the chair and pulled Zhan Mingyan in front of him, placing himself between her and Bai Jue, “Mr. Bai, Mingyan and I have finished eating, so we won’t disturb your meal.”

Bai Jue stared at the hand on Zhan Mingyan’s wrist, his brows creased coldly, no matter how he looked at it, it was an eyesore.

Zhan Mingyan glanced at Bai Jue and did not pull away from He Min’s hand.

“Mingyan, let’s go,” He Min said, his face lifting with joy as Zhan Mingyan did not push his hand away, his voice tender.

Zhan Mingyan nodded and followed him to leave.

They had hardly taken two steps when another hand was suddenly yanked back by a forceful pull.